WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2015 SPORTS WNBA Finals go to decisive Game 5

INDIANAPOLIS: It’s only fitting these more in a similar stretch when they took WNBA Finals are going the distance. “It’s the first four WNBA championships. The absolutely been a great series,” Lynx won their previous two titles on Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said. the road, in Atlanta in 2011 and 2013. “Four really, really hard fought games. They’ll have a chance to win one in front Why not go to a Game 5? It’s been that of their home fans. good of a series. It’s one of those things “Great opportunity for us and our that people like to see. fans who have been with us all season,” “I think it’s good for the game. Good Moore said. “That’s the beauty of it. Be to have eyes on our product right now ourselves at homes. We have a really because there’s a lot of great things to good chance if we do that.” watch and a lot of great people out Tamika Catchings has been a huge there putting it all out there.” reason for the Fever’s postseason run, This is the first time since 2009 the seemingly willing them to victories. league’s championship has gone the full “This was a great series for the WNBA, length. Game 5 is today in Minneapolis, great for women’s basketball,” Catchings where the Fever won Game 1. said. “It’s great it’s on TV and so many “It gives us confidence knowing that people are locked into this that have we’ve been able to win on the road all never seen a WNBA game. Never been season long,” Indiana coach Stephanie interested in women’s basketball. White said. “We’re happy to be playing Basketball is basketball. You can’t deny another day.” there’s great competition on both sides. Indiana won 75-69 Sunday night in “Great plays on both sides of the ball. Game 4. As they’ve done all postseason, It’s only fitting that we go to Game 5. the Fever found a way to stave off elimi- We’ll go to Minnesota and the place will nation. Indiana is 5-0 in the playoffs this be loud. That’s what you play for.” While season in elimination games. Starting the Lynx flew home as a team on with their run to the franchise’s lone Monday morning, the Fever had piece- ABU DHABI: Pakistan batsman Muhammed Hafeez (right) plays a shot as England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler looks on during the first ayd of the title in 2012, the Fever are 9-2 in elimi- meal flights to Minnesota. “Finding so first Test match. —AP nation games. many flights at the last minute is always The only other series to make it to a a challenge, but a good one to have fifth game since the WNBA started play- worry about because it means we’re still ing best-of-five in 2005 were in 2006 playing,” White said while going through Malik leads Pakistan and 2007. History may be on Indiana’s security at the Indianapolis airport. side. The team that won the champi- “We had a few flying early in the onship in all three of those series lost afternoon, a few others flying later in Game 3. the day.” Catchings announced before Maya Moore, who hit a buzzer-beat- the season she will retire after the 2016 charge in first Test ing shot for the Lynx in Game 3, can season. She has spent her whole career appreciate what this series has meant. in Indiana, getting to the title series ABU DHABI: Shoaib Malik hit a fighting hundred catches by Ian Bell-both off James Anderson. caught in the gully off paceman Stuart Broad “It’s been a fun one to watch,” she said. three times. She was on the team that to cap an impressive return to Test cricket after It was Anderson who gave England an early only to see the umpire signalling a no-ball. “Especially the last few games have lost to Phoenix in Game 5 in 2009. five years as he led Pakistan’s charge in the first breakthrough when he dismissed Shan Masood Paceman Stuart Broad dismissed Younis with been very fun from a fan’s standpoint. “We’ve been very blessed as an organi- Test against England in Abu Dhabi yesterday. (two) in a bizzare manner, with the left-handed a miscued drive which was well taken by Alastair Lots of great things happening, players zation to be able to make the playoffs Malik was unbeaten on 124 for his third Test opener taking his eyes off a bouncer. The ball hit Cook at an unusual position, close to the non- making plays. If I was to say where do I 11 years straight,” she said. “But making hundred-his first against England-to guide the grill of his helmet before crashing onto the striker end’s umpire. want to finish my season, it would be at it to the finals, out of 11 years, we’ve Pakistan to 286-4 at close on the opening day at stumps. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq became Anderson’s the Target Center.” only been there three times. So this Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Hafeez and Malik steadied the innings and 415th Test wicket when he was adjudged caught Now the Lynx return home with a doesn’t happen every single year, and Malik added an invaluable 168 for the second batted with resolve. Hafeez hit 13 boundaries behind after England players reviewed the chance to win their third title in five every game you have to take advantage wicket with opener Mohammad Hafeez who during his 170-ball knock before he tried to play umpires’ decision of not out. years. Only the Houston Comets won of your next opportunity.” —AP missed his century by two runs after Pakistan on the leg-side in an attempt to reach his ninth Anderson is now the tenth all time wicket won the toss and opted to bat on a flat pitch Test hundred. He challenged Australian umpire taker in Tests. England’s misery was completed which is expected to take turn on the last two Paul Rieffel’s decision but to no avail. when Shafiq was also dropped by Bell at ten, days. Anderson, who took 2-29, was unlucky not to spilling an easy catch off Anderson. Malik, who has been averaging 100 in one- account for Hafeez as Bell dropped a regulation Pakistan’s plans to hit England with spin were day cricket this year-form which earned him a catch off the bat in the second slip. Hafeez was dealt a blow when their leg-spinner Yasir Shah recall in the longer format-has so far hit 14 then batting on seven. was ruled out of the match with a back problem. boundaries in his 230-ball patient knock. Hafeez took advantage of the lapse and at 26 The 29-year spinner, seen as match-winner Apart from Malik and Hafeez, the day was hit leg-spinner Adil Rasheed to point boundary for Pakistan, stumbled while bowling in the nets also memorable for senior batsman Younis Khan to reach 3,000 runs in his 45th Test. He is the on Monday and after assessment early yesterday (38) who became Pakistan’s leading run scorer in 17th Pakistani batsmen to score 3,000 or more was left out. England were also without injured Test cricket when he overhauled Javed runs in Tests. paceman Steven Finn. They included Rashid for Miandad’s tally of 8832 runs made in 124 Tests. Malik also had a reprieve when on 40 he was his first Test.—AFP Younis, playing his 102nd Test, jumped out of his crease to hit spinner Moeen Ali for a big six at deep mid-wicket to reach 21, two more than his SCOREBOARD illustrious countryman Javed Miandad. Younis said he felt proud at reaching the ABU DHABI: Scores at close on the opening day of the first cricket Test between Pakistan and England played at milestone. “I had wanted to contribute more Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on yesterday. runs, but we are still in a good position as Malik Pakistan Ist innings Ali, Imran Khan played really well,” said Younis, who now has Mohammad Hafeez lbw b Stokes 98 Fall of wicket: 1-5 (Masood), 2-173 (Hafeez), 3-247 8852 runs. Shan Masood b Anderson 2 (Younis), 4-251 (Misbah) “If he (Malik) plays the first two sessions on Shoaib Malik not out 124 Bowling: Anderson 14-3-29-2, Broad 14-5-30-1 (1nb), Wednesday then our position will be further Younis Khan c Cook b Broad 38 Stokes 10-1-35-1, Wood strengthened, he has shown all of us how to Misbah-ul-Haq c Butler b Anderson 3 13-3-34-0, Rashid 17-0-76-0, Ali 19-2-73-0. Asad Shafiq not out 11 make a comeback.” Extras: (b4, lb5, nb1) 10 England: A. Cook, Moeen Ali, I. Bell, J. Root, J. Bairstow, J. England’s pace-cum-spin attack struggled for Total: (four wkts; 87 overs) 286 Buttler, B. wickets under hot conditions, bowling some To bat: Sarfraz Ahmed, Wahab Riaz, Zulfiqar Babar, Rahat Stokes, Adil Rashid, S. Broad, J. Anderson, M. Wood loose deliveries coupled with two dropped Bell lifts Steelers past Chargers

SAN DIEGO: Le’Veon Bell’s one-yard scor- ing run with no time remaining lifted the Pittsburgh Steelers past the San Diego Chargers 24-20 Monday night. The Chargers grabbed the lead on rookie Josh Lambo’s 54-yard field goal with 2:56 to play. INDIANAPOLIS: Maya Moore No. 23 of the Minnesota Lynx shoots the ball against the The Steelers then drove 80 yards in 12 plays Indiana Fever in this file photo at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated for the win. Minnesota 75-69.—AFP On first-and-goal at the San Diego one- yard line with five seconds remaining, Bell took a direct snap and ran to the left side. The running back was wrapped up by line- Etihad Airways, Al Ittihad backer Donald Butler, but was able to stretch the ball over the goal line for the win. Football Club sign “To win the game, the game-winner on the last play of the game, that’s what you new partnership deal dream about it,” said Bell who rushed for 111 yards on 21 carries. JEDDAH: Etihad Airways and Al Ittihad Al Ittihad FC.” Etihad Airways will continue Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he never Football Club have held an official signing to activate the partnership with Al Ittihad hesitated in going for the win instead of ceremony in Jeddah, marking the start of FC across a number of marketing and com- kicking the tying field goal. “We have to run the new partnership between the Abu munications platforms, including home the football,” Tomlin said. “We have Le’Veon Dhabi-based airline and the Saudi Arabian matches in King Abdullah Sports City Bell. It was time to go to the mattresses so football club. The three year agreement, Stadium, media conferences, exclusive club to speak. “Le’Veon gave us an opportunity named Etihad Airways as the official airline events and player appearances. to win, and we were trying to do everything partner for the Abdul Latif Jameel League Al Ittihad FC will also use Etihad Airways we could to move the football.” club. as its preferred airline when the club and its Chargers tight end Antonio Gates The signing ceremony took place at Al supporters travel overseas for matches, returned from a four-game suspension and Ittihad FC between Ibrahim Al-Balawi, including the Asian Champions League caught two touchdown passes. He finished President of Al Ittihad FC, and Peter tournament. with nine receptions for a game-high 92 Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Ibrahim Al-Balawi, President of Al Ittihad yards. San Dieo quarterback Philip Rivers Commercial Officer. FC, said: “We are delighted to team up with completed 35 of 48 passes for 356 yards Accompanying Baumgartner from Etihad Airways. We are confident this part- with two touchdown passes and one inter- Etihad Airways at the ceremony was Hareb nership will have a positive impact on Al Al Muhairy, Senior Vice President Corporate Ittihad FC, because it allows the club to ception. and International Affairs, and Patrick Pierce, extend its reach outside our home market. Pittsburgh quarterback Michael Vick was Vice President Sponsorship. “It will also help the club supporters to 13 of 26 for 203 yards with a touchdown Peter Baumgartner said: “We are delight- travel seamlessly on Etihad Airways’ global and an interception. San Diego scored the ed to visit Jeddah, the home of Al Ittihad network and to enjoy its leading services first 10 points of the fourth quarter to take Football Club, and to celebrate this new and premium products.” a 17-10 lead, but Pittsburgh tied the game partnership which has captivated football Al Ittihad FC plays its home games at one play after the Chargers went ahead. fans in Saudi Arabia and across the Middle King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. It has Josh Lambo had given San Diego a 20- East. won the Abdul Latif Jameel League on 17 lead with his before they charged back “We were extremely proud to host the eight occasions and has won the Asian down to field after Lambo had given the club for its visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in championship three times. Etihad Airways Chargers a 20-17 lead with his second field September, and this return trip to Jeddah operates 55 return flights a week between goal before the Steelers replied through to celebrate the commencement of the Abu Dhabi and the Kingdom of Saudi Bell. “They made one more play,” San Diego partnership with the club’s fans and offi- Arabia including 16 return flights between coach Mike McCoy said. “He’s a special back SAN DIEGO: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey can’t hold on the ball as San cials marks another exciting chapter in the Abu Dhabi and Jeddah,19 to Dammam,13 and a great player, and we knew what we Diego Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers (24) breaks up the pass during the second half of an cooperation between Etihad Airways and to Riyadh and daily to Madinah. were dealing with.”—Reuters NFL football game. —AP